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THE Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) believes leveling-up measures for the North in today’s Spring Budget are not enough, and that entrepreneurs and smaller employers will feel:- “short changed” by the Chancellor’s announcement.

Michael Sandys, FSB Area Leader for Liverpool City Region, said:- “Any new funding to Liverpool City Region and the North is positive and to be welcomed, but we must consider the significant capacity pressures and economic challenges faced by Local Authorities, as seen during the Pandemic. It will be important that we work together to ensure these schemes, and the funding that comes with them, are delivered as effectively as possible for small businesses and their employees. Investment zones for the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester are likely to boost inward investment, but we would welcome further clarity on how they will operate and work together to benefit existing businesses, and they must avoid creating an uneven approach to enterprise and economic growth within and across the Regions. The Chancellor had set high expectations for supporting small firms during these challenging times, but today’s Budget will leave many feeling short-changed. The disappointing lack of new support in core areas proves that small firms are being overlooked and undervalued. Budgets are about tough choices. With today’s billions being allocated to big businesses and households, the UK’s 5.5million small businesses and the 16 million people who work for them will be wondering why they have been missed out.”

Daren Shaw, FSB Area Leader for Cheshire & Warrington, commented that:- “Investment zones for Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester are likely to boost inward investment into those City Regions, but where is Cheshire and Warrington in this? We have been successful in helping create a truly supportive infrastructure for businesses here, working closely with the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, major business organisations and local and national government. It would be unfair and frustrating to create an uneven approach to enterprise and economic growth within and across regions, and care should be taken so that we don’t throw the baby out with the bath water during these LEP reforms.”

Key criticisms include a lack of support for small firms struggling with steep energy costs alongside help for households. On business tax, support was directed at big businesses (an extra £27 billion), with the Government arguing small firms are already catered for. FSB believes proposals to help people with health conditions get back to work are ill-designed, won’t work, and that the work capability assessment changes could be delayed for years.

Daren Shaw, FSB Area Leader for Cheshire & Warrington, added:- “The Chancellor has failed to take any action to make it easier for small firms to recruit people locked out of the labour market. Those with health conditions and disabilities have been let down by a Government that does nothing to work with small employers and is continuing with its failing Jobcentre-focused approach. Small measures subsidising occupational health, as well as capital allowances, fuel, R&D and pubs, are all welcome but not the big bang needed. With regard to employment and skills, measures on the over 50's are token efforts at best, although we also welcome the Government’s commitment to the skills bootcamp model.”

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